How to remove circles under your eyes – we know what helps

What do dark circles under the eyes mean, and why do they appear?

Sometimes, bags under the eyes can be caused by a poor night’s sleep; at other times, they can be due to genetics, ageing or lifestyle. Occasionally, they can signal health issues such as anaemia, liver problems or thyroid problems – but don’t panic. If you have no other health concerns, it’s probably just a cosmetic issue. Most often, it’s a cluster of veins and visible blood or pigmentation.

What causes dark circles under the eyes? Here are the 6 main causes

• A lack of sleep and fatigue - Black circles under your eyes after a sleepless night? There are many factors at play here – stress, dehydration, poor circulation or even alcohol. Your skin turns pale, and the blood vessels under your eyes become more visible. Et voilà, bags under eyes appear!
• Thin skin and skin ageing - The area of skin under your eyes is naturally very thin and delicate, so you can see accumulated blood and the network of tiny blood vessels through it. Our skin gets thinner as we age, collagen levels decrease, and the skin loses its ability to “conceal” these features.
• Dehydration - Dehydration causes sunken circles under the eyes that look like deep, dark shadows. This is a warning sign that you need to pay attention to your hydration levels.

• Allergies and irritation - Allergic reactions, sinus infections or even conjunctivitis – these health conditions can cause puffy circles under the eyes. Talk to your doctor about these health issues first, and the eye bags may disappear along with them. If not, the problem lies elsewhere.
• An unhealthy lifestyle - Smoking, alcohol, stress or excessive exposure to blue light from screens and monitors have a direct impact on skin quality. They accelerate skin ageing and thinning, which accentuates circles under the eyes.
• Hyperpigmentation - Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by pigmentation. This means it is not about visible veins but distinct brown circles under the eyes, which are most commonly caused by excessive sun exposure or hormonal changes.

How can you prevent dark circles under the eyes?

If you’re looking for a way of getting rid of dark circles under your eyes, start by making some lifestyle changes. Look through all 5 points and see if there are any areas with room to improve.

• Do you sleep well? Get 7–8 hours of good-quality sleep each night. It’s not just about the length but the quality too. Establish rituals to help you fall asleep more easily and enjoy a more restful night.
• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. The general recommendation is around 30 ml of plain water per kilo of body weight. In the summer, you’ll naturally need more, as much as 50 ml.

• Cut down on alcohol and smoking. Every cell in your body will thank you for it, not just your skin. 
• Include foods rich in vitamin K, vitamin C and iron in your diet. They help brighten and strengthen your skin, giving it a healthy glow, and the veins under your skin will become less noticeable.
• Do you have pigment spots around your eyes or sun-irritated skin? SPF eye cream with high protection or sunglasses should become daily essentials.

What helps with dark circles under the eyes? Look out for these ingredients

Eye creams and gels or eye masks are usually the first choice for getting rid of dark circles under the eyes quickly. But if you use them on a daily basis and the dark circles just won’t go away, they may be lacking the right ingredients. Although each one affects the skin differently, they all have the same goal – to minimise dark circles under the eyes as quickly as possible.

• Caffeine – reduces puffiness and boosts microcirculation 
• Vitamin C – brightens and evens out skin tone

• Hyaluronic acid – hydrates and plumps fine lines
• Retinol – boosts collagen production
• Peptides – firm and regenerate the skin
• Niacinamide – helps with pigmentation

What can you do about dark circles under the eyes? Old wives’ tales that actually work

Do you find old wives’ tales amusing? Some of them may well seem a bit odd, but we know that they still work and can be a nice little addition to your daily routine.

• Potato slices – Enzymes and starch help lighten pigmentation and even out skin tone. Plus, they deliver a pleasant cooling sensation.
• Chilled black or green tea bags – Caffeine and antioxidants help to make blood vessels contract, so visible veins aren’t as noticeable. And the bonus? They cool your skin and reduce puffiness.

• Almond oil massage – A massage around the eye area boosts circulation, and a facial oil nourishes and brightens the skin.
• A blend of honey and lemon – While honey hydrates and soothes, lemon brightens the eye area thanks to the vitamin C content. It’s a great combination that works on dark circles under the eyes, but be careful – it can irritate sensitive skin.

Does massage help with dark circles under the eyes?

If poor microcirculation, fatigue and stress are the main causes of dark circles under the eyes, then massage can be effective. That’s because it improves blood flow, which reduces the blue colour caused by deoxygenated blood

How should the massage be performed?

1. Apply a small amount of cream or oil.

2. Using circular motions with your finger or a massage tool, gently massage the lower eyelid from the inner corner outwards and the upper eyelid from the outer corner inwards, moving continuously around the entire eye.

3. Repeat with the other eye.

What can we take away from this?

Dark circles under the eyes can be a real problem for both men and women, appearing regardless of age or skin type. There are many causes, ranging from genetics to lifestyle. The key to reducing them is a combination of getting enough sleep, hydration, the right skincare products and even cosmetic procedures. If you’re looking for an effective solution, focus on high-quality eye creams with active ingredients such as caffeine, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid or retinol, which brighten, firm and plump the eye area. And if you see dark circles under your eyes as a major problem, talk to experts at an aesthetics centre as well as your doctor, to see if there is an underlying medical cause.

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